Michelini i Mufatto A Merced 2021

The 2021 A Merced is surprisingly a little higher in alcohol than the 2020 I tasted next to it, despite the much cooler year. It fermented with 50% foot-trodden whole clusters in 1,000-liter oak casks with indigenous yeasts and a long maceration. It matured in used 225-liter French oak barrels for one year. It’s a little earthy but also floral and elegant, combining that wild side that seems to be inherent to this place, as I’ve noticed it in the last few vintages. It’s quite expressive and showy, very complete and balanced. It was bottled in October 2022. Drink date: 2023-2031. Score – 95. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, Aug. 10, 2023)